The Imperial Spice, Connaught Place, New Delhi

September 2, 2018

Cuisine: Indian, Oriental, Continental

What: A fine wine and dining spot in the heart of Delhi’s heart, Connaught Place.

Why: They house an exceptional assortment of wine and single malts from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Spain, Italy and more. Paired with selections from an extensive and eclectic menu, this is your ticket for a hearty, wholesome evening.

First Impressions: You can’t miss the ornate décor, which is at once luxurious and intimate, thanks to soft lighting and opulent touches using brass, glass and wood accents. It is at once obvious that a lot of time, money and attention has been spent on creating this warm ambience.

The Drinks: Our cocktails were creatively presented, and the Italian Smooch was a kiss of fresh flavour indeed! Pick from among bestsellers such as Cosmopolitan, Sex on the beach, Black Russian, Bourbon Mint Julep, Virgin Colada and more.

The Food: Now this is where the restaurant really won us over. While décor and drinks do win you points, this is the real deal, and every single dish we tasted — Wild Mushroom Cigars with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, Paan Paneer Tikka, Wok Tossed Vegetables with Garlic and Spring Onions, Fried Eggplant With Pepper Sauce, Classic Dumplings, was simply superb is both presentation and flavour. The chef gets full marks for understanding the Indian palate while also maintaining the international feel of the food.

The Evening: Grew steadily more delicious with every sip and bite, and ended on a sweet, satisfying note.

This is a restaurant for those who really care about the taste of their food and not just treat is as a side with drinks and conversation.